When Children Experience Hair Loss

In a small minority of incidents, children can experience hair loss.  Although rare, the problem has been known to occur.  The first thing that must be done to remedy the situation is to uncover the cause for the specific cause for your child’s hair loss. 

Tinea Capitis is a type of fungus that can attack the hair and scalp.  Also known as scalp ringworm, this condition can be highly contagious, so upon discovery use recommended treatments, such as medicated shampoos right away.  The fungus can cause patchy hair loss, broken hairs, and swelling and reddening of the scalp.  Once the treatment is underway, the re-growth of hair should begin within several months. 

Telogen Effluvium, the process of replacing ones baby hair, is another cause for hair loss in children.  From time to time, hair loss may occur in infants or children following an illness.  This hair loss may be the cause of a disturbance in the hair growth cycle, causing the child’s hair to slip into its resting phase.  This condition in children usually remedies itself.  If the hair loss is not accompanied by infection or swelling, hair growth should return to normal within a few months. 

Traction Alopecia is the third type of hair loss sometimes found in children.  The condition is rare and very easily treatable.  Traction Alopecia occurs in children who over-treat their hair, with heat treatments, bleaching treatments, or excessive pulling of the hair.  To remedy this situation, simply avoid tight hairstyles, such as ponytails and discontinue the over-use of bleaching, hair drying, curling, or other treatments harmful to hair.